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A 9350

Provides for permitted leaves of absence for members of civil air patrol

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anil Beephan and 16 co-sponsors

Provides job-protected leave of absence for emergency volunteers (CAP, Coast Guard Auxiliary, volunteer firefighters, and ambulance members) during declared emergencies or missions

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Bill Summary · A 9350

Summary of New York Assembly Bill A09350 (2025-2026)

Title

Provides for permitted leaves of absence for members of the Civil Air Patrol during emergencies

Purpose and Intent

The bill amends the Labor Law to expand and formalize job-protected leaves of absence for certain emergency response volunteers, specifically:
- United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members
- United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots
- Volunteer firefighters
- Members of volunteer ambulance services

The goal is to allow these individuals to perform emergency response duties without risking their employment, during declared emergencies or assigned missions.

Key Provisions

  1. Eligible Leaves During Emergencies or Missions

    • When an emergency is declared under the state Emergency Management laws (Executive Law sections 24 or 28) or when the employee is participating in a United States Air Force or United States Coast Guard assigned mission, an employee may request and must be granted a leave of absence from their employer to perform duties as:
      • a volunteer firefighter
      • a member of a volunteer ambulance service (as defined in Article 30 of the Public Health Law)
      • a member of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol
      • a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots
    • Employers may deny the leave only if it would impose an undue hardship on the employer’s business as defined by a related Executive Law provision.

  2. Conditions for Leave Eligibility

    • The employer must have written documentation from:
      • The head of the employee’s volunteer fire department or volunteer ambulance service, or the unit commander (as applicable), confirming the employee’s status.
    • The employee must show that their duties as the volunteer firefighter, ambulance service member, CAP member, or Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilot relate to the emergency.
    • For CAP or Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots, a unit commander’s written request to participate in emergency services or an assigned mission satisfies eligibility.

  3. Certification and Verification

    • If the employer requests, the employee must provide a notarized statement from the relevant authority (head of the volunteer department or unit commander) certifying the period(s) of emergency response.

  4. Timing and Effectiveness

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Employees who are:
    • Volunteer firefighters
    • Members of volunteer ambulance services
    • Members of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol
    • Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Pilots
  • Employers in New York who would be granting leaves of absence to their employees under these provisions

Practical Implications and Impact

  • Enhances workforce flexibility for essential emergency response volunteers by providing job-protected leave during emergencies or missions.
  • Encourages participation in CAP and Coast Guard Auxiliary duties by reducing employment risk during critical emergency work.
  • Requires employers to accept written documentation from authorities confirming the employee’s status and emergency-related duties, with an option for notarized verification if requested.
  • Introduces a potential undue hardship standard for employer denial, aligning with typical interferences in labor law while protecting public safety volunteers.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Labor, with multiple amendments and re-references during its consideration process.
  • If enacted, the provision would apply immediately (effective date: immediate).

Note

The bill is designated as a “B” version (A09350-B) indicating amendments from the original A09350, and mirrors or is intended to be the same as S08494. The sponsor list includes several assembly members, with co-sponsorship from multiple legislators.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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